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Venus Transit

May 17, 2012 by Ali Llewellyn

Astronomy

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Science

citizen science

Venus Transit

“Why the astronomical community should be so exercised over a planet’s movements; why their emotions should culminate when a shadow impinges upon or fades from the solar substance; why the transit of the planet should be called apparent; why Professor This should perch himself upon a pile of volcanic rocks in the Southern Pacific and Professor That shiver in the snows of Siberia to pry into an orbital incident happening millions of miles from either – these or something like them, are questions which the untutored many might wish to put to the erudite few.”1882 account of a Venus Transit in the San Francisco Chronicle

Wonder what the big deal is about a planet’s movements – and why people will go so far to watch this phenomenon? Watch here as NASA EDGE explains:

Great science partnerships between professional and amateur astronomers have also been frequently seen around Venus Transits. Astronomers without Borders is sponsoring the Venus Transit Project, with an app to observe and record the phenomenon from as many locations as possible.

NASA’s Space Weather Media Viewer will also give you the opportunity to explore more of what we know about the sun and how its behavior affects the rest of the solar system.

Where and when can you watch on June 5? Viewing locations and times are here.

How can you get involved and contribute? Resources and opportunities are here.